Jersey expect our support if they bid

JERSEY would expect to get Guernsey's support if it bids to host the 2015 NatWest Island Games. The Caesareans last hosted the Games in 1997 and it seems almost certain it will attempt to repeat the feat in eight years' time.

Jersey is highly unlikely to bid for the 2013 Games because the host island for 2011 is the Isle of Wight, which is perceived as relatively close geographically.

'I would hope Guernsey would support such a bid. We were very supportive of Guernsey re-hosting a few years ago. It would not be an exotic place to travel to but a cheap Games for Guernsey and they would be able to send a bigger team,' said Senator Mike Vibert, Jersey's Education, Sport and Culture minister.

'It would be good for it to come back to the Channel Islands - it would be another 10 years coming back again.'

Roy Martel, Guernsey's general team manager in Rhodes, said: 'My personal view would be that there would be a number of reasons why Guernsey would expect to be seen to support Jersey in 2015.'

But it will have to evaluate any bids on their merits.

'From a logistical and cost- effective point of view it would be beneficial, but member sports don't always vote that way,' he said.

'The Island Games is a family and you have to take into consideration what is best for the Island Games. There would be good reasons why Guernsey would support a Jersey bid but other reasons where you have to look at the whole picture for the Island Games.'

Exploratory talks were held earlier this year when Jersey hosted an IIGA executive meeting.

'There is an expense in making such a bid and if you are going to make one, you want to get it right and give yourselves the best chance of being successful. So if it's going to be the Isle of Wight in 2011, it may be 2015, rather than 2013, for us,' said Vibert.

'We are one of the major islands and a number of the larger islands such as the Isle of Man and Guernsey have held the Games twice.

'It's beholden on some of the larger players to host the games again and we feel it's time again 15 years on to consider bidding again.'

But if one looks at the Island Games in recent years, it has tended to move about geographically and it is believed Bermuda are also interested, said Senator Vibert, who will sound out other representatives in Rhodes.

'If the perception is the right one we will be coming back and looking seriously at a bid.'

'There appears to be a move to move the Games about. I would hope to get all islands' support,' he said.

Jersey already has some top class sporting facilities in place.

If selected the largest project is likely to be the upgrading of the athletics track at FB Fields - which has a current estimated cost of £500,000 and has already been included in the capital programme for 2012.

'We believe most of our facilities are up to scratch,' said Senator Vibert.

Aland will host the next games in 2009.

Indications are that Prince Edward Island in Canada is likely to bid for the 2013 games, possibly joined by Bermuda, if they are not too bruised at missing out for the 2011 event.

PEI will present a formulation letter at next week's IIGA annual meeting, but the vote will not be taken until Aland in 2008.

Ruth Quility, secretary of the PEI IGA, said: 'We are very excited about putting our bid forward. We have the support of our government and association president Alfred Groom has put a very strong team together.'

PEI believe they have the facilities and infrastructure in place.

'We hold the Canada games every four years, both the winter and summer event, and the next summer event is 2009,' said Quility.'